ONGOING JOINT PAIN POST CHEMO

@onemargie I'm 18 months post chemo and still suffer the exact pain you talk about in the joints, hips, elbows, shoulders and feet are the worst. Its at its peak first thing in the morning when you get up,or if you've been on your feet alot through the day and you sit then get back up again. I had my first bone density scan about 8 months post chemo, I had osteoporosis in my lower lumbar and neck and degeneration. The other thing is too are you on medication? such as Tamoxifen, Arimidex? as mine was worse on Arimidex and have been changed to Aromasin, and its still the same, no different. These meds actually make joint pain worse, and my Oncologist warned me that's the case unfortunately. I exercise and whilst I feel good doing so, it doesn't help the joint pain. I also take panadol osteo as it's a slow release and so you need to take it over a few days to help, I usually take it at about 6hrs. 

In terms of scan for recurrence, you actually only have scans of the rest of your body if you notice severe pain or change somewhere else, otherwise they won't do it. I have a single mammo only once a year and see Oncologist, that's all. My recurrence was picked up at my yearly checkup at the 4yr mark. There was no way of knowing prior to that, so in terms of the pain, you can have a scan but Ive put mine down to now Chemo, Menopause and my Aromasin altogether pain in the ARSE!!! I am back at work 3 days, but my Oncologist told my insurance that as long as I am on my medication I CANNOT be rehabilitated physically as its exacerbated by the medication, a vicious circle. But alas!!! I have to work...so I just put up with it otherwise option is to stop taking meds. Definitely talk with your Oncologist about it all. Hugs Melinda xo